City Stars, JMJ on collision path over Sh7m row

By GILBERT WANDERA

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Nairobi City Stars are demanding Sh7 million from Scottish side Celtic over the signing of Kenyan international Victor Mugubi.

The money, City Stars say, is development fee for Mugubi, a move that has put them on a collision path with JMJ Academy who are also demanding compensation for the same.

City Stars appealed to Celtic a fortnight ago through a law firm in Manchester, England, after JMJ had presented their case, a move has prompted Celtic to write to Football Kenya Federation seeking to know who should be paid the five per cent development fee.

According to FKF Secretary General Omondi Aduda, both JMJ and City Stars have genuine claims and the money should be shared between the two.

Aduda explained that Mugubi turned out for City Stars in 2007 when they were called as World Hope.

Signed licence

"City Stars’ records show that the player featured for them when they were called World Hope. They were even issued with a player’s licence signed by the former Football Kenya Limited Secretary General Sammy Obingo," said Aduda.

"The same (licence) was counter-signed by the KPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jack Oguda, making their demands genuine. The records further indicate that Mugubi stayed at the club (World Hope) for eight months," Aduda added who further explained that JMJ should even claim more money including from the time Mugubi turned professional.

Shed light

"JMJ, too, have documents showing that Mugubi was their player from the time he turned professional two years ago and should be paid," said Aduda who confirmed having written to Celtic to shed light on the issue.

Expected to lose out on the deal are Country Bus and AFC Leopards who both signed the player without a contract, making any claim difficult.

When Dennis Oliech joined French side Nantes in 2003, Mathare United received only Sh1 million after Fifa’s Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled that this is what was due to them as compensation.

United had reported Nantes and Al-Arabi of Qatar for failing to pay them development fee.

Apart from United, several other clubs also came out claiming compensation on Oliech as he had turned out for them at different stages in his career.

It, therefore, remains to be seen who between City Stars or JMJ Academy will be paid the money.